Elon Musk-led Starlink has reapplied to India’s space regulator IN-SPACe for permission to deploy its second-generation satellite constellation comprising nearly 30,000 low Earth orbit satellites. The application, submitted this year, seeks approval for satellites operating between 340 and 615 kilometers altitude and includes direct-to-device connectivity features, according to inc42.com.
Starlink had earlier applied for approval of both its Gen 1 and Gen 2 constellations. IN-SPACe approved the Gen 1 constellation of 4,408 satellites in July 2025 but rejected the initial Gen 2 application due to non-compliance with Indian spectrum and feature requirements, the Economic Times reported. The company’s renewed application aims to address these concerns and enable expanded satellite internet services in India, inc42.com added.
The Gen 2 network’s direct-to-device connectivity will allow compatible mobile devices to connect directly to satellites, bypassing terrestrial telecom infrastructure. This capability is significant for extending mobile connectivity to remote and underserved areas with limited network coverage. The approval of such a large constellation would mark a substantial expansion of Starlink’s footprint in India, where satellite internet is gaining strategic importance amid growing digital inclusion efforts, inc42.com noted.
IN-SPACe’s decision on Starlink’s Gen 2 application will determine the future scale of satellite internet services in India. The regulator’s earlier nod to the Gen 1 constellation in July 2025 set a precedent for large-scale satellite deployments. Starlink’s latest application for nearly 30,000 satellites reflects its ambition to enhance connectivity across India’s diverse geography, inc42.com reported.